Umesh Patwal- The only Indian in the Afghan camp

The atmosphere surrounding Afghanistan’s maiden Test match versus India is electric. Amidst the heated rivalry, one Indian will be pitted against his own countrymen itself. Umesh Patwal, who grew up on the Mumbai Maidans, is currently the batting coach of the Afghans. He has been involved with the team since 2008 and has helped the likes of Mohammad Nabi and skipper Asghar Stanikzai.

He has served in the role for a couple of occasions in 2014 and 2016 respectively. Patwal was delighted after being called up following the ICC World Cup and coached Nepal. He was the chief coach of the Band-e-Amir Dragons, which won the Shpageeza Cricket League, a T20 tournament in Kabul. Patwal seemed optimistic about helping Stanikzai’s boys to take baby steps in Test cricket.

“It’s going to be challenging”- Patwal

“Since this is my third stint with the national team, I have been a witness to how the bunch has grown in terms of skill-sets, consistency and confidence. Now is a time to translate all these components from white-ball to red-ball cricket.

Having worked with some of these boys for a decade, I know what it means for them to play Test cricket. I am extremely fortunate to be involved in this historic match,” Patwal was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

The team has taken rapid strides in world cricket and Patwal believes that they won’t flatter to deceive in the longest format as well. “It’s going to be challenging but I have no doubt that Afghanistan will continue to surprise, even in the longer format. Afghanistan is the giant-killer in world cricket and it will live up to the tag even in Tests,” the coach mentioned

The team and its players have been in prime form and the hosts will be aware of the threat they are likely to possess. The likes of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi have been pivotal and would be hoping to help their team in the historic match as well. They may not eventually be able to thump India, but can definitely announce themselves in Whites.

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